My Blogging Essentials

Leaving the country for 5 months with only 20kg of baggage does bring up certain issues. The first of which being, how am I possibly going to fit all my clothes in and having to create a capsule style wardrobe to be able to fit everything in (and find some cheap postage for sending a load more out once you’re settled!), the second issue for me was my blogging kit.

Back at home, I’ve got everything, tripods, floor samples (for instagram!), big sheets of paper for backgrounds of blog photos, my desk drawer with pens, pencils, notepads etc etc, and so much more, and obviously, I was going to have to make some sacrifices when packing….. through this dilemma, I have managed to work out my blogging essentials – the things, both old and new that I need to run my blog in the way that I want it to be – cutting out all the “luxuries” and sticking to the complete essentials.

1. Blog Planner (above)

I got this back in September and it knows everything. It knows more than I do about my blog. It has my plans for the growth and future of my blog, post ideas, favourites lists, post schedule and LITERALLY everything else – absolutely everything that will be on this blog will have been in this planner first – it is a lifesaver for people who want to plan ahead, but don’t want to have it all in different notepads all over the place!

2. Nikon D3100 DSLR

I got this camera for my 21st birthday and it is still going strong – I cannot get enough of it, and wouldn’t dare take my main blog photos on anything else. Yes, its quite large, but the quality is incomparable – it’s leagues ahead of anything else I have.

3. Macbook Pro

I couldn’t survive without my mac. I know that sounds dramatic but it is SO TRUE. I couldn’t write a full post on anything else. I can’t get into the right mindset without a bit of iTunes going on. I couldn’t edit my photos in any other software – I know how it all works and over time I’ve got really quick with it all.

4. Panasonic Lumix TZ57

I got this camera relatively recently and it is brilliant. It’s smaller and easier to carry around than my DSLR, plus it has a front facing screen for any group selfies or vlogging (Which I am going to get into as soon as I’ve got into any kind of sensible routine out here, promise!) It also has a wifi sync option so I can take a picture and immediately send it to my phone and onto instagram straight away!

5. iPad Mini

The size of a book, it’ll fit in my backpack if I’m off up the mountain and want to get some writing done over lunch – it’s great for reading and scrolling through pinterest and instagram from inspiration, and it’s got my entire iTunes library on it.

6. iPhone 5s

My iPhone is actually still a 5s, and I love it. I love my little iphone. It has everything I need in one place, I can tweet, instagram, check on my scheduled tweets and posts, whatsapp anyone I need and generally keep my online life running 24/7 (provided I’ve got wifi…..at the moment I’m sat on a box outside another chalet using their internet because mine isn’t set up yet…..!)

I haven’t made the upgrade to a 6 yet…..I figured keeping my 5 would be best for the duration of this mountain adventure….no point buying a 6 to drop it off a ski lift or lose it in a snowball fight….better to invest when I get back!

7. GoPro Hero 4 Silver

For skiing, walking and whatever other activities I may be getting up to while I’m up here in the mountains that I want to capture, either on video or photos, to pop up on youtube, instagram or on here – I’ve just bought a helmet with a specially designed GoPro mount so I can attach it to my head and get my butt skiing without worrying about angles etc! 🙂

8. Mini Tripod

I bought this adorable little thing in the airport on the way out here because my normal tripod would never have fit in my 20kg without me having to sacrifice something like pants or fairy lights (yes, they are essential!) so I popped in to Dixons in Bristol Airport and was shown this dreamy little thing. Firstly, it is incredibly cute and will fit in my backpack when I head up the mountain very easily. It is as light as a feather too – I think this is about become a very very useful part of my essentials!

9. Plug ins

Two different camera chargers, iPhone charger, iPad charger, macbook charger, extension lead and fairy lights (as I said, non negotiable!)

10. Tea. All the tea.

My brain doesn’t work without tea. I mean it. Seriously. If I hadn’t had my tea this morning, this post would consist of the words “I need some things to blog. The end” – very short and not hugely interesting either!

What are the things that your blog couldn’t live without?